Dear Dad,
Close to 19 years ago I held your big, calloused hand as you took your last breath, but while you left us physically, your presence has remained a constant source of strength every day of my life.
You were a strong man emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. You moved our 6.5 ft. grand piano on a refrigerator dolly. You worked circles around men half of your age, and you often sang as you worked. We used to kid you that “work” was your middle name.
Mentally you had a curiosity that never quit. On road trips that we shared as a family you would pick out the details of a scene and delve into the why’s and how’s of it. Google would have been one of your best friends had it been available when you were alive. From inventing a new machine to learning to sail, you were truly a student of life!
You always took home school courses. When you passed away you were in the middle of an electronics circuitry course. You would never let a new word escape without digging out the definition.
Emotionally you were my rock. You shared your deepest joys and sorrows with me. I can count on one hand the number of times I saw you cry, and when you cried, I cried with you. Those were tender, life-defining moments that are etched in my memory.
You never flaunted your spirituality. I knew you had a quiet walk with God that was secure, but you allowed me to express religious views in opposition to yours without passing judgment (although there might have been times when you winced when you heard a four-letter word or two).
Your greatest passion was seeing your kids achieve their goals. I can still vividly see the Cheshire cat grin on your face when I graduated from law school, gave birth to Alexandra, shared a book with you that was dear to me, or simply made a meal that you loved. From the memorable events to the mundane everyday ones, you were always in my cheering section, rooting me on!
As you got older, you learned to adapt, to change. You weren’t afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. I can see you dancing at our New Year’s Eve party, going to the movies with me, or attending a Tony Robbin’s weekend seminar.
You had massive, powerful hands. As a little kid when I’d squirm in the church pew, you would rub my arms to keep the bouncing to a minimum. To this day I can engulf the security you provided for me during church services. They were never my favorite experiences, but you made them palatable.
Dad, thank you for being my “Man For All Seasons.” While this is Father’s Day where I publicly acknowledge you, I carry you with me every day.
I miss you, daddy!
Much love,
Your Dar
June 20th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Thank you for special thoughts about your dad and my special Uncle.
June 20th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Ahhh Darlene~
Beautifully spoken! I can feel your dad’s goodness and the love you feel for him. I see you as an energetic child sitting on the hard church pews, all the way through your independent years deciding which way you’ll go in life.
Thank you for giving me a deeper glimps of your life~
I love you even more for it.
~Linda
Linda G. Cox´s last [type] ..Genealogy: family history research
June 20th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
I’m glad that you wrote the letter to your Dad. It brought back so many memories of a very special time im my life. Your description of his grin, so apropriate. When he grinned, you knew something was up. He had a way of involving you in whatever “good time” he was having. He influenced me to “give classical music a try”. Without his urging I may not have done it. I know that the year that I spent with the family couldn’t have been easy for them, but I never sensed that at the time. I only felt the warmth of a loving family. Your Dad was one of the most accomplished men that I ever knew. He had a thirst for knowledge that you couldn’t help but be drawn into. With different opportunities I’m sure that he would have been a succesful engineer. Instead, he became a successful husband, father, and mentor. He may have never achieved financial success, but he had a happy aura that shone on all of us who came in contact with him. What a wonderful guy. I loved him too.
Gary
June 21st, 2010 at 7:26 am
Darlene,
It’s a very sweet post. Surely the guidance and wisdom of your dad has enable you to help many others. Thanks for sharing!
–Mario
Mario Miranda´s last [type] ..The Misanthrope
June 22nd, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Hi Darlene
What a beautiful tribute to your dad! He was obviously an inspirational soul and all round wonderful person and, of course, a positive and strong influence in your life.
I have no doubt about the love and pride you have for him. You and your family are blessed to have had him in your lives, and he obviously lives on in you all.
Your post reminds me of a little folk art decorated saying that I bought my Dad for Father’s Day a few years ago. It says:
“Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad”.
Your father obviously deserved his title of “Dad” and wore it with great pride.
~ Kylie ~
Kylie Doak´s last [type] ..How to Migrate (Export and Import) Posts and Comments Files From One WordPress Blog to Another
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:26 am
Darlene,
What a moving tribute to your Dad ~ he sounds like he was a remarkable man & you were definitely blessed by him being your father.
Christine
Christine Casey´s last [type] ..“3,317 Counter Points, Was It Worth Loosing My Family?”